Benefit/Offer Combination Chart

[FL_Cruiser64]

Is the chart saying that if you use a RCCL VISA to pay for you entire cruise, you will be able to continue to receive all of the previous offers? Even after 12-31-08.

 

Balcony Discount

Stock Benefit

C&A Coupons

Thank You Coupons

NC on board credit

 

Or is it saying you only receive these benefits if you redeem RCCL points to pay for the cruise you receive all the benefits?

 

You really can't apply all those.

 

While the Visa points are combinable the others are not, i.e. if you apply Visa points for a free cruise and you add stock OBC you can not apply any of the coupons (i.e. Thank you, C & A, Balcony).

 

Remember it is not just with what you start out but rather what you add. You too have to choose.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

The LOC is actually something new to me too. When I was writing down the chart initially I send it over to ask if I missed anything and the answer was LOC (Letter of Credit). It was explained to me that this is something similar to the FCC. Now FCC (Future Cruise Credit) must be something well known with all the complainers on CC plus our resident TA Sue knows about it. I don't know much about FCC and LOS since I never really complain.

 

.

 

Hubby and I were given Future Cruise Credits WITHOUT complaining. We both were quarantined during an outbreak of Noro-virus on Liberty of the Seas on her second voyage.

 

The last day of the cruise, I was still in quarantine. A letter was stuck under our door and it said that we would be given Future Cruise Credits for our inconvenience and told us how much and when to expect an official letter.

 

We were both very surprised because we had no idea that we would get a cent for being ill and quarantined. Honestly, we had not made any complaint to anyone. On that particular cruise, RCI was kindly compensating folks for their illness. I don't know if they ever did again, but they did for us. I really appreciated the gesture.

[bubbie617]

We have been loyal to RCCL since 1983 except for a couple of Princess cruises that were mistakes (for us). For many years we have cruised 3 or 4 times a year, always staying within RCCL/Celebrity. We have always "stacked discounts" to arrive at the lowest possible cost for our trip. We cruise in at least a D1 category and often higher. We always end up with a big onboard account bill.

 

Royal Caribbean will be losing revenue (in my estimation) because people like us will cruise less often with them and ultimately be spending less in total than we would have before they took away our "combos".

 

They have already chased us out of the casinos because I refuse to travel with a lot of cash and I refuse to pay 3% to draw money in the casino at a blackjack table.

 

Although we love Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, we will be more interested in looking to other cruise lines. We have stayed within RCCL because they enticed us with discounts and perks. Take them away and we might as well be on any cruise line.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Hubby and I were given Future Cruise Credits WITHOUT complaining. We both were quarantined during an outbreak of Noro-virus on Liberty of the Seas on her second voyage.

 

The last day of the cruise, I was still in quarantine. A letter was stuck under our door and it said that we would be given Future Cruise Credits for our inconvenience and told us how much and when to expect an official letter.

 

We were both very surprised because we had no idea that we would get a cent for being ill and quarantined. Honestly, we had not made any complaint to anyone. On that particular cruise, RCI was kindly compensating folks for their illness. I don't know if they ever did again, but they did for us. I really appreciated the gesture.

 

That part was resolved in post #44 and #46. :cool:

[Captain Jake]

So much for loyalty.During this worldwide slowdown I suppose I should be thanking RCCL for making my decision easier to try other cruise lines especially those that leave from ports I can drive to.--------BT

[PattyG12]

I just sent in my stockholder certification and received a response within a few hours that applied my credit to a sailing in September 2009. This was booked with a NC. Just do everything before 12/31. And I guess I'll save the deposit of a NC booking on my Majesty cruise in January ... Just $200 more for me to spend and less for Royal Caribbean to hang onto.

[FL_Cruiser64]

I just sent in my stockholder certification and received a response within a few hours that applied my credit to a sailing in September 2009. This was booked with a NC. Just do everything before 12/31. And I guess I'll save the deposit of a NC booking on my Majesty cruise in January ... Just $200 more for me to spend and less for Royal Caribbean to hang onto.

 

 

The NC is still good though. I have 4. I hold onto them until I have family members and friends cruising with me so I can use the coupons.

[gardener718]

I'm sorry if this has been answered, but I have just returned after 3 weeks.

Prior to leaving I bought 100 shares at $13.09. Not so bad, even if it is less now.

My question is 1. Is the 12/31/08 date for booking or for sailing. I sail on 1/31/09, but, of course booked months ago. Final payment due tomorrow. I did get the C&A discount.

 

2. Someone on this board (or could be another) suggested Scottrade and has an account. If I have your name (hope its only 1 lol) we can each get 3 free trades. I think they will still honor that. Its worth a try.

 

I also hope they might refund the fuel supplement with the way oil prices have fallen.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Marianne

[HERnME2]

In these troubled economic times it doesn't seem to me that all the take aways would help them to fill cabins,, :rolleyes::confused:

[Ladylouwho]

In these troubled economic times it doesn't seem to me that all the take aways would help them to fill cabins,, :rolleyes::confused:

 

It doesn't make any sense to me either. There sure seem to be a certain amount of folks who think the Loyalty cutbacks are are a way for RCL to somehow save money or even profit from. Hmmmmmmm......people don't take well to being treated like they are expendable. I can't imagine anyone cruised RCL ONLY for the Loyalty Benefits. But once earned, they were a nice perk and paid for themselves over and over again in repeat customers and multiple bookings and Loyal customers getting friends into cruising for the first time (as we have many times) and on what line???? Well, RCL of course!

 

Free advertising, repeat and often multiple yearly bookings, all for a few hundred OBC or discounts per cabin????? Sounds like a dream for any Company to get Loyal customers for so little an investment. But apparently not for RCL. Gee....the minute business slows...let's see, what do we do? Oh, I know! Let's cut our Loyalty Benefits!!! That'll show 'em! Who needs those same old customers anyway. We can always get NEW ONES with our New Ad Campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yj_eugene]

Who needs those same old customers anyway. We can always get NEW ONES with our New Ad Campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Funny, because of these new benefit restrictions I was joking with the DW last night that the new ad campaign was really "The Nation of Why Not Encourage Our Most Loyal Customers to Reconsider Our Competitors". Maybe I wasn't too much off the mark.

[Ladylouwho]

Funny, because of these new benefit restrictions I was joking with the DW last night that the new ad campaign was really "The Nation of Why Not Encourage Our Most Loyal Customers to Reconsider Our Competitors". Maybe I wasn't too much off the mark.

 

I think there are A LOT of jokes going around about that Goofy Ad Campaign. Between the Knucklehead decision to tick off their most loyal customers and that New Ad Campaign....I don't know what to think.

[ladylawyer]

Funny, because of these new benefit restrictions I was joking with the DW last night that the new ad campaign was really "The Nation of Why Not Encourage Our Most Loyal Customers to Reconsider Our Competitors". Maybe I wasn't too much off the mark.

 

OMG!! That's perfect!!! ... Sad, but a perfect description of what we're seeing, lately! :(

[SA Traveler]

What I am having a hard time understanding is that prior to the change to the 12/31 date (when it was the October date) , the Diamond balcony discount WAS still combinable with the stockholder credit. Now the chart is saying the balcony credit isn't combinable. So they gave a two month grace period and took away something else?? I admit I am confused.

 

I also haven't read this entire thread so I apologize if this has been discussed.

[beachbuddy]

What I am having a hard time understanding is that prior to the change to the 12/31 date (when it was the October date) , the Diamond balcony discount WAS still combinable with the stockholder credit. Now the chart is saying the balcony credit isn't combinable. So they gave a two month grace period and took away something else?? I admit I am confused.

 

I also haven't read this entire thread so I apologize if this has been discussed.

 

I totally agree with you. The Platinum/Diamond discount was never discussed. There's been so many changes over the past year and all of them were confusing.........first it was an offer is combinable with a benefit, but then again, they never specified what an offer was and what a benefit was and every rep that you spoke to gave different answers. I used to call, get a answer and then call back and kept doing it until I got the answer I wanted.........LOL Then it was the NC/FC OBC not being combinable with Stock OBC..........so I have no idea where and when the Platinim/Diamond discount came into the picture as not being combinable!! The Platinim/diamond balcony discounts were something that we worked toward getting and should be combinable with at least one other OBC.

 

If they are changing according to that chart, then they might as well stop sending me C&A coupons and thank you discounts/coupons because I can't use them anyway and haven't been able to use them for awhile. But now they've taken away the OBC as well. The balcony discount is not an onboard credit and I don't think RCI knows what the heck they are doing! We also have stock which by the way is down about 2/3 of our initial investment so as long as I have the diamond balcony discount, if that stock ever goes back up, it's getting sold for sure!! Also, there won't be anymore NC/FC booked by us in the future.............that was one thing we did just for the OBC - now there's no reason to let them hold our money for that long!

 

All they are doing is pissing off their customers because they didn't just reduce the benefits............they took most of them away so basically, unless you complain or have a problem on board, you can only use either 1 discount or 1 OBC............along with Visa points for those that have their Visa. We always liked RCI, however, we never tried another line because we were trying to build up our credits with RCI......now that we have our credits, they're taking things away so now we can look at other lines so that we can compare them to RCI. Who knows........maybe we'll even like them better!

 

You know what really iritates me is that RCI hasn't even sent these changes out to their platinum/diamond members telling them about the balcony discount now being their only discount. They don't communicate anything and here we are looking at a chart that was put together by someone on cruise critic with the help of someone from RCI. I find that unbeieveable!! That's no way to run a business! Communication is a pretty important thing and they stink at it! What about people that don't use these boards!

 

Oh yeah, and that new ad............what the heck is that all about!!! I like the "Get out there" one better!! Sorry, I was just venting!!! I know the economy is bad, but is it good business to have empty cabins or to sail with a full boat even if people are spending less.........at least they're getting the cabin cost revenues. And for the few people that don't spend anything, there are many others that spend tons and make up for the ones that don't.

[ladylawyer]

A friend just got off the Vision, and was told by the LA that, as of 1-1-09, the Platinum/Diamond Balcony Discount would no longer be combinable with any other offer or benefit. Frankly, since I can get up to $300 off, with my Diamond Balcony Discount, on cruises 10 days or longer, I'm sticking with that. The very best you can do, otherwise, is a $250 OBC on 14+ day sailings, for shareholder credit.

 

IMHO, this will impact the LAs, significantly. :(

[petesweet]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks FL Criuiser64 for posting the chart, it sure helps my booking decisions for the future. Since RCCL sees nothing wrong with changing the benefits they offer (and it is their right to do so), I see nothing wrong with shopping other cruise lines to my benefit (which is also my right to do so).

 

I may even try some last-minute, bottom-feeding bookings to see how that works. Why let them hold my deposit money for a year or more out, when I can leave it in my account and earn some interest on it?

 

RCCL still has better benefits for past cruisers than NCL does (which is practically nothing).:)

[kc320]

RCCL still has better benefits for past cruisers than NCL does (which is practically nothing).:)

 

 

But for how much longer? And I agree the fact that bothers me the most is we are learning about all of these changes HERE on a cruise chat board instead of directly from the people making the changes... they can clog up my email box with all of their sales & ad's but can't send 1 simple email informing their stockholder & C&A members of significant changes to the program?

[Oville]

But for how much longer? And I agree the fact that bothers me the most is we are learning about all of these changes HERE on a cruise chat board instead of directly from the people making the changes... they can clog up my email box with all of their sales & ad's but can't send 1 simple email informing their stockholder & C&A members of significant changes to the program?

 

Why is the Visa OBC included in this chart and not TA OBCs? The Visa OBC is from Bank of America not RCI.

[cruisenfever]

Why is the Visa OBC included in this chart and not TA OBCs? The Visa OBC is from Bank of America not RCI.

Because redeeming Visa Points is not affected by this change. Neither are OBC from TA's.

 

The only thing that will change after 12/31/08 is anything that is offered by RCI that costs them money out of their pocket.

[beachbuddy]

I'm confused........I just went to the Investor Relations page.......clicked on Stock Benefits at the top of the page and then clicked on Stock frequently asked questions and under #6, they don't even mention anything about it not being combineable with other things...........I thought it mentioned some things there before......now it doesn't even address it.

 

Patty

[Oville]

Because redeeming Visa Points is not affected by this change. Neither are OBC from TA's.

 

The only thing that will change after 12/31/08 is anything that is offered by RCI that costs them money out of their pocket.

 

Patty, thanks!! There is no mention of discounts such as Senior, Resident or Military. Will they also be eliminated if you use your balcony discount?

 

My point about Visa was why throw that benefit into a chart of what RCI is providing effective the first of the year. It is mixing apples and oranges. If that is the intent, then why not show TA OBCs? And you are right these perks won't change, and that is because they are not being provided by RCI.(Not to say BofA and TAs won't modify their benefits sometime in the future)

 

Trust me, I'm not trying to be critical here, just trying to sort out what is what.

[Ladylouwho]

Because redeeming Visa Points is not affected by this change. Neither are OBC from TA's.

 

The only thing that will change after 12/31/08 is anything that is offered by RCI that costs them money out of their pocket.

 

 

I think that while the incentives to its customers cost money out of RCL's pocket it was more a cost of doing business. The incentives assured RCL of repeat business by satisfied customers who welcomed getting discounts and/or OBC as a gift for their Loyalty and their positive actions for the company (like owning its stock). And while no one would cruise just for a discount or OBC, it certainly was an incentive not to check out the competition and be Loyal to Royal. We usually just checked out RCL and booked, didn't really look at the competition. Went on Carnival last year for a last minute trip during Thanksgiving because friends were already booked and taking that cruise. Otherwise we just booked RCL, didn't price compare or anything.

 

Not anymore. When a Company abruptly changes its policies toward its most Loyal customers to the customers detriment and doesn't even let them get any advance warning, just kind of sneaks it in, that leaves a bad taste. When an RCL rep tells a Diamond level customer, "Well, that doesn't mean anything anymore there are so many Diamond members now it is just not that big of a deal", well that leaves a bad taste.

 

If RCL doesn't care about loosing long term, loyal customers (as their recent actions seem to indicate) then that makes it really easy for me to book other cruise lines. No need to feel dis-loyal, since the "Loyalty" thing no longer exists.

 

I cruise on the Voyager in less than a week in the Med., then I will cruise her again in December. I have deposits down on two future cruises with RCL. After that it looks like other Lines are going to get to enjoy my travel Dollars. Guess RCL doesn't need repeat customers like me anymore. Their New Ad campaign must be bringing in new customers by the millions if they can afford to treat their best customers this poorly.

[cruisenfever]

I'm confused........I just went to the Investor Relations page.......clicked on Stock Benefits at the top of the page and then clicked on Stock frequently asked questions and under #6, they don't even mention anything about it not being combineable with other things...........I thought it mentioned some things there before......now it doesn't even address it.

 

Patty

Here ya go.......It's in a box right above the FAQs. You can't miss it.

 

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-shareholderbenefit

 

 

Patty, thanks!! There is no mention of discounts such as Senior, Resident or Military. Will they also be eliminated if you use your balcony discount?

 

My point about Visa was why throw that benefit into a chart of what RCI is providing effective the first of the year. It is mixing apples and oranges. If that is the intent, then why not show TA OBCs? And you are right these perks won't change, and that is because they are not being provided by RCI.(Not to say BofA and TAs won't modify their benefits sometime in the future)

 

Trust me, I'm not trying to be critical here, just trying to sort out what is what.

Have no idea how they are going to handle Senior, Resident or Military discounts. I don't think they know themselves.:(

[Oville]

Here ya go.......It's in a box right above the FAQs. You can't miss it.

 

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-shareholderbenefit

 

 

 

Have no idea how they are going to handle Senior, Resident or Military discounts. I don't think they know themselves.:(

 

Thanks Patty!!!! At least we have wording directly from RCI on the stockholder benefit.